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Truffles are the fruiting bodies of ascomycete fungi that form underground. Truffles are globally valued, culturally celebrated as aphrodisiacs, and highly sought-after delicacies in the culinary world. For centuries, naturalists have speculated about their mode of formation, and in cultures surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, many species have been prized as a delectable food source. Truffle fruiting bodies form underground and emit a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Truffle volatiles are believed to have evolved to attract animals that disperse their spores. The main VOCs identified from truffles include sulfur compounds, such as dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS); in addition, 1-octen-3-ol and 2-methyl-1-propanol have been found in most truffle species. Humans use pigs and dogs trained to detect truffle VOCs in order to find these prized subterranean macrofungi. Truffles have pharmacological potential, but until more reliable cultivation methods become available their high price means they are unlikely to see widespread use as medicinals.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria L.), a popular aromatic herb used as a traditional medicine is more widely recognized for its use in the pet toy industry due to the behavioral effects it elicits on cats and other felids. A major interest in catnip is also due to its repellent activity against arthropods. Essential oil of catnip is an effective repellent against several species of mosquitoes, flies, ticks, mites, and other disease vectors, with results comparable to DEET. Both the repellency to arthropods and the characteristic effects on cats are mainly attributed to nepetalactone, a bicyclic oxygenated monoterpene in the essential oil of catnip. While catnip is grown as a garden herb and in the open field for dried biomass and essential oil, the lack of improved genetic materials makes it difficult for North American growers to expand production and ensure adequate product supply. The present chapter provides an overview of the recent advances in breeding, biochemistry, production systems, biological activities and potential new uses of N. cataria and other Nepeta species in North America.

Introduction The aim of this study was to investigate the acute and chronic skeletal muscle response to differing levels of blood flow restriction (BFR) pressure. Methods Fourteen participants completed elbow flexion exercise with pressures from 40% to 90% of arterial occlusion. Pre/post torque measurements and electromyographic (EMG) amplitude of each set were quantified for each condition. This was followed by a separate 8-week training study of the effect of high (90% arterial occlusion) and low (40% arterial occlusion) pressure on muscle size and function. Results For the acute study, decreases in torque were similar between pressures [-15.5 (5.9) Nm, P = 0.344]. For amplitude of the first 3 and last 3 reps there was a time effect. After training, increases in muscle size (10%), peak isotonic strength (18%), peak isokinetic torque (180°/s = 23%, 60°/s = 11%), and muscular endurance (62%) changed similarly between pressures. Conclusion We suggest that higher relative pressures may not be necessary when exercising under BFR.

The application of blood flow restriction (BFR) with low load exercise has been shown to produce favorable muscle and vascular adaptations. Given the potential clinical utility of BFR, it is important to characterize the ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and discomfort across a variety of relative pressures as the individual's perceptual response may ultimately dictate whether a participant continues with this modality of exercise. Fourteen participants completed 3 days of exercise. Conditions included unilateral elbow flexion with six pressures ranging from 40% to 90% arterial occlusion at 30% of their one repetition maximum (1RM). Differences in RPE (6: no exertion at all, 20: maximal exertion) were found across conditions for set 2 (range of 13-15), 3 (range of 15-16), and 4 (range of 15-17). Following Bonferroni adjustments, none were significant. Differences in discomfort (0: no discomfort at all; 10: maximum discomfort) were found across conditions for set 1 (range of 2-3), 2 (range of 3.2-5), 3 (range of 4-6.5), and 4 (range of 5-7). Post-hoc analyses only found differences within set 3. Although it is presently unknown if higher pressures are required for optimal adaption of tissues other than skeletal muscle, our results suggest that the perceptual rating during exercise is unlikely to be a limiting factor in the application of higher pressures.

The aim of this study was to investigate the acute and chronic skeletal muscle response to differing levels of blood flow restriction (BFR) pressure.Fourteen participants completed elbow flexion exercise with pressures from 40% to 90% of arterial occlusion. Pre/post torque measurements and electromyographic (EMG) amplitude of each set were quantified for each condition. This was followed by a separate 8-week training study of the effect of high (90% arterial occlusion) and low (40% arterial occlusion) pressure on muscle size and function.For the acute study, decreases in torque were similar between pressures [-15.5 (5.9) Nm, P = 0.344]. For amplitude of the first 3 and last 3 reps there was a time effect. After training, increases in muscle size (10%), peak isotonic strength (18%), peak isokinetic torque (180°/s = 23%, 60°/s = 11%), and muscular endurance (62%) changed similarly between pressures.We suggest that higher relative pressures may not be necessary when exercising under BFR.

a Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, United States b Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, Center for Health Behavior Research, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, United States c National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya, Kanoya, Kagoshima, Japan d Department of Kinesiology, Texas Wesleyan University, Fort Worth, TX, United States e Department of Health and Exercise Science, Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States